"Didn't figger on droppin' around to Grandma Penny's boardin' house about eight sharp, did you? Eight sharp.... And kind of settin' down quiet on the front porch? Jest settin'? Eh?... G'-by, Bob."
After Bob left the store Scattergood sat half an hour staring at the stove; then he left the store to its own devices and wandered up the street toward Grandmother Penny's. He encountered Sarah Pound as she came out through the gate.
"Howdy, Sairy?" he said, cheerfully. "Havin' consid'able amusement with life—eh?"
"I've been enjoying myself, Mr. Baines," Sarah said, making an effort at coldness and dignity.
"Bet you hain't enjoyin' yourself enough to warrant your doin' a favor for an old feller like me, eh?... This evenin', for instance?"
"I—I'm going away this evening."
"Um!... Goin' away, eh? Alone? Or along with somebody?"
"That's my own affair."
"To be sure.... To be sure, but the train don't leave till nine, does it? Couldn't manage to do me a favor at eight?"
"What is the favor, Mr. Baines?"